Remembering Kaitlyn Elkins

This edition of Oasis is dedicated to the memory of Kaitlyn Elkins. Kaitlyn joined the first year Wake Forest School of Medicine class in July of 2011, and completed the first two years in an excellent fashion. A week and a half before starting her clinical rotations, Kaitlyn took her own life. Kaitlyn’s parents have bravely chosen to share some of her poetry and artwork as a portion of this publication, in hopes that the attention to depression and awareness of suicide might benefit someone else in distress, or allow them to seek help. Kaitlyn's works, along with the reflections of some of her peers, remind us of the fragile precious nature of life, and the importance of the care and support we give each other.

A fund has been created in Kaitlyn’s honor. Gifts will go towards the Wake Forest School of Medicine Student Wellness Center to help Kaitlyn’s peers who are wrestling with similar challenges.

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